The Ares V (Ares 5) launch vehicle will lift up heavy payloads, such as equipment and hardware to Earth orbit or trans-lunar injection, a trajectory designed to intersect with the moon. Such lift capabilities will enable NASA to carry a variety of science and exploration payloads to space and, in time, undertake crewed missions to Mars and beyond. The first crewed lunar excursion is scheduled for launch in the 2020 timeframe. Ares V is capable of boosting a 45-ton lunar lander and a rocket stage to ferry the lander and CEV to the Moon.